Chilly Boulder, Sunday Afternoon

[stykera]

It was warm today and Stark was feeling somewhat restless. He'd gotten coffee after the radio and then walked around the island for a while before ending up at the ice cream shop. It seemed like a good day for ice cream. The sign out front advertising new summer flavors certainly helped his decision.

He spent longer than was strictly necessary looking over the flavors, sampling a few he didn't recognize, before ordering himself a sundae with extra whipped cream and both hot fudge and peanut butter sauce and taking it to a table near the window so he could watch anything that might be happening outside.

[It's hot here too. Gross. Open for any ice cream or glowy alien needs you might have!]

Comments

[special_rabbit]

Did Amaya venture out to Chilly Boulder that afternoon out of a genuine desire for ice cream? Or was she merely doing so to make some kind of point about blacksmiths and breaks and taking time off?

A question for ages, truly, and if she knew the answer, Amaya was definitely not giving it. But, whatever it may be, she still got a chocolate cone out of the deal, giving Stark a nod as she got that all squared away.

"Stark," she added by way of greeting. "How's the day treating you?"

[stykera]

"Hello, Amaya," Stark said as returned the nod. "The squirrels dragged me out this morning. Other than that the day is fine, so far."

So far. You never knew what might happen to ruin things.

"And yourself?"

[special_rabbit]

"Well," Amaya noted, "no squirrels dragging me anywhere," yet, "so I'd say, comparatively, that puts me in a pretty good spot. You at least get any rum out of the deal?"

[stykera]

"No rum." Stark shook his head. "I didn't ask. It was a little early." Not that always stopped him but he was still actively trying to not be a disaster of an alien when possible. "I had coffee after instead."

"Would you like to sit?"

[special_rabbit]

"Coffee," Amaya decided with a firm and approving nod, "is always a solid choice."

And then she seemed to consider the question and the chair that would be required in the acceptance for a moment before carefully hedging her answer. "Noooo," she decided, "I think I'm good, but thanks for the offer, Stark. Not planning on sticking around too long. Just long enough..." For it to count, "to forget how hot the forge is for a moment before heading back. Still a lot of work to do, but this," she lifted her cone, "won't make it long past the front door."

[stykera]

"It does get hot in there," Stark said. "Ice cream would be helpful after that, for a break. Are you having another class for the rest of the summer? I enjoyed this one."

[special_rabbit]

Amaya's nod of appreciation was more for Stark's helpful, albeit brief, acknowledgement that this was, in fact, a break, and that him mentioning that detail certainly solidified it for the universe, didn't it?, than for the bit about the class, but she appreciated that, too.

"I'm planning on it," she said, "assuming the moose doesn't muck anything up, anyway. Another blacksmithing course, but this one focusing on armor this time. Haven't done an armor intensive yet."

Then her head tilted, as if that because particularly prescient, considering who she was talking to.

"You know," she ventured, "if you did enjoy the last one, you should consider hopping onto the next, too. Could really use the technique's we'll be going over to maybe fashion yourself a spare mask by your own hands."

[stykera]

"It would be interesting to try," Stark said thoughtfully. "Though the ones you made will be much nicer."

Including the one he'd only worn the once that was now buried in the back of a closet.

"Even if it wasn't wearable it would be fun to try, I think."

[special_rabbit]

"Obviously not one as good as any of mine," Amaya agreed, because no false modesty on that one, but boy would she be sweating it a little if it turned out he could hammer out one of that kind of quality in just seven spread out days, "but could still be nice to have made one of your own, you know? Plus, no need to hit the gym for arm day!

"You still planning on doing your cupcakes?"

[stykera]

It was possible there were one or two people on the island who might appreciate it if Stark started working on his arms.

"I did like making the knife. Very satisfying to have something I could hold in my hand and know I'd made it myself. Something that lasts." Baked goods were lovely but they disappeared quickly.

"I should be doing more cupcakes, yes. That's my plan, at least."

[special_rabbit]

Maybe even a few more! The arm thirst on this island was real.

"And, well," Amaya shrugged a little, "best laid plans around here...

"But that," she grinned faintly, "is exactly what I wanted you all to take away from the class. Well, other than the knife itself, of course, but that sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from forging up something from nothing but a hunk of metal. Easily one of my favorite part about it."

[stykera]

There were some very nice arms to be found here. Perhaps there ought to be a sleeveless shirt provided for all blacksmithing participants and a viewing gallery for interested parties?

"It was satisfying. And I like keeping busy. Keeping my hands busy. It makes it easier to think, sometimes, or to not think if I need to. I should sign up again."

And make something else, and work on his arms.

[special_rabbit]

There were many benefits to a Blackstone blacksmithing class, it was true.

"You're certainly more than welcome to jump on again if you feel so inclined," Amaya assured him with a nod. "I'd love to have you in the shop again. Probably a better fit than me taking one of yours, but maybe I might need to take a stab at it. I'm usually pretty stuck in my ways, but I could probably stand to try something a little new every once in a while."

Then she snorted. "It's all ovens, anyway, it's just a matter of what you're putting in it!"

[hasaknightjob]

As bloody hot as it was outside something cool to eat had great appeal. It had been a while since he'd been inside this particular shop but no time like the present to get back on that particular horse again.

Steven gave a nod of greeting when he saw Stark, not wanting to assume the other man would like an interruption.

[stykera]

"Hello Steven." At least he hoped it was Steven. It seemed like Steven. Hopefully there were some nice sorbets or non-dairy ice creams for him to enjoy.

"Needed a break from the heat?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Hello," Steven replied. "Yeah, it's a bit much, isn't it? Thought I'd try another one of their sorbets. How are you? Staying cool?"

[stykera]

"I don't mind heat so much," Stark said with a small shrug. "I'd rather this than the winter. I don't like the cold."

A little ice cream and air conditioning was one thing. Ice everywhere was another.

[hasaknightjob]

"Be interesting to see what that's like around here," Steven said. "We don't get much by way of snow in London. I mean we do but not a lot. Nothing that stays long."

[stykera]

"Sometimes it lasts." Sometimes there's a weather satellite controlling things and causing havoc.

"Sometimes it melts quickly." Sometimes there are snow monsters.

"It's pretty at first. I'd just rather be warm. And this is a good excuse for ice cream." Not that Stark ever needed excuses for sugary things.

[hasaknightjob]

"Even when it's warm the air conditioning is nice," Steven said. "Don't have much of that over in London either. How have you been otherwise?"

[stykera]

"I've been fine. Classes went well, I think, and last weekend was enjoyable. I'd never been to Pride, before."

"How have you been?"

[hasaknightjob]

"I thought Pride was rather nice," Steven said. "Helpful for people as well."

Having mentioned that, Steven grew more thoughtful. "Could I - only I know you're sat by yourself, maybe want some quiet. Could tell me to bugger off if you'd like. But if not could I ask your opinion on something?"

[stykera]

"If I wanted to be left alone I would have stayed home. I do that often enough. You can sit if you like?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers." Steven collected his order, a cherry sorbet, and joined Stark at his table. "You've been on the island a while, yeah? Know a lot of people?"

[stykera]

Stark nodded. "Two years this time, I think. A little more. And I was here before that. I know most people at least a little. Why?"